by S. J. Braden
Keep on keeping on Lassie, you got this.
Chapter 20
Frankie, Pierce, Trent, and Court spent Wednesday evening looking into all the files Colleen had in her home office and on her computer. They looked for anything that might lead them to who would kidnap her. Frankie questioned Court at length about anyone from his business that could be disgruntled. The explosives angle seemed to suggest a relationship to Court, but there was nothing that anyone could find in his business that would trigger this act of aggression. So they dug into Colleen’s cases. It would make sense for it to be the most recent case and it was a big high profile case, with many people affected and a crime family’s way of life disrupted. But there was no evidence anywhere of any of the Maden family or associates involvement with explosives. It was about the only thing they were not involved in. So the men dug further, drank coffee, ate delivery pizza and tried to find anything to lead them to Colleen. And they waited for the next clue, a ransom demand, anything that would launch them back into action.
Court heard Colleen’s phone ringing upstairs and went to check it. There were six missed calls. Two from her office and one each from her brothers Todd and Randy and her sisters Brenda and Gloria. He felt he should let them know what was going on, but having the four of them worrying too wasn’t going to help the situation at all and might potentially make it harder to do what he needed to do.
Court woke up first, looked around the living room and chuckled in spite the situation. He was in a chair surrounded by all his company employee records and contracts. Pierce was asleep in a chair with Colleen’s laptop in his lap. Frankie and Trent lay sprawled out on the floor with stacks of case files from Colleen’s office surrounding them. One stack served as a pillow for Trent. Lucy and Jake were sound asleep on the sofa together. They appeared to have the most comfortable spot in the room.
A room Colleen decorated. Everywhere Court looked he saw Colleen. In the built-in bookcases laden with the novels she loved to read. She loved her mysteries and crime series. Dan Brown, Nick Russell, George Weir, D.B. McNicol, Steven Thomas and Billy Kring were her favorites. Court wondered if he had taken the time to read all the mysteries and crime thrillers if he might have some inspiration about how to find the woman he loved, and didn’t know how to live without. The silver walls with white crown moldings, picture windows, and the comfortable furniture were all Colleen.
Court made his way to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee before he started waking his guests. At least this room felt like his space. It was his domain. Not because he liked cooking. He didn’t. The only reason he cooked at all was because it was so hard on Colleen. They spent many Saturdays with Colleen cooking and Court acting as her left hand. But he loved to eat. So that made the kitchen his room. He knew it was going to be another long day. Court took a shower and walked the dogs before he woke up the rest of the men. While they showered and tried to work all the knots and kinks out of their bodies Court cooked breakfast. Cooking was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted to find Colleen. But they had to eat and he had no idea where to begin looking.
Frankie was the first one back into the living room and he turned on the television for the local news. The news anchor seemed especially excited to report information about the Memphis In May activities scheduled to begin in full force on Friday with the International Music Festival. Frankie watched with interest as she explained the three-day music festival on the Mississippi River bluff, hosting dozens of music acts. Then the more serious local news report covered a shooting in a mall parking lot, a parent’s group upset with educators at a local middle school and then an interesting story. The assumed new Patriarch of the Maden family received an envelope in the mail containing white powder. The substance was at the police lab to be analyzed and the postal service was in an upheaval about what the substance was and how to determine who might have been exposed. Frankie realized the story might be significant to them since Colleen’s latest case sent Rodney Maden Sr. to prison.
It looked like someone else was not through with the Maden family and Frankie wondered who that might be. As Pierce and Trent entered the kitchen, Frankie wandered in and asked Court, “So with the Maden group down, who stands to take over all the illicit activity in the city?”
“Don’t tell me there is someone else who’s going to continue the business. Colleen will be so disappointed. She thought she rid the city of all that was evil,” Court replied sarcastically.
“Well, according to this morning’s news, someone wants to make sure the Maden’s stay out of business.”
“I’m sorry for my sarcasm, I know you’re trying to help. Some days it seems like a futile business putting these guys behind bars, because just as fast as you do, someone has picked up where they left off. I don’t know who might be trying to replace the Madens as the new reign in town. Colleen might have notes about who they suspect would profit from Maden’s demise or incarceration. I know they couldn’t find enough evidence to arrest any of his direct family members. What happened?”
“It seems Rodney Jr received a white powder envelope in the mail yesterday. I assume he checked it to see if it was cocaine before he called the authorities and now it’s being tested. So if someone else is after the remaining members of the Maden family, they might also have something to do with Colleen’s abduction. Maybe it’s not about revenge but information.”
Chapter 21
“If we could call the cops, we could find out who they think will be the next big dogs in town, but we can’t. So if it’s not in Colleen’s notes, I don’t have any idea. She might have more information and detailed notes at her office, but I don’t know how we can get them.”
“Maybe I can access her work files through her laptop if I can crack her password. Court do you have any idea what her password might be?”
“Yep, try Sophia&Liam.”
“Nope.”
“Try Sophia&Liam2012.”
‘That’s it!”
“Um, Pierce, you know I’m here as a friend, I left my marshal’s hat in New Orleans, but you do realize hacking or breaking into a federal US attorney’s files is a major freaking felony right? If you get caught, you may never see the light of day again.”
“I know, but I’m praying I don’t get caught and if I do, maybe a judge will have mercy. I’m not looking for my personal gain, I won’t tell what I see here, I’m just looking for information that will help us find Colleen.”
“Okay, well I wish you the best of luck, but I think I’ll take Lucy and Jake for a walk and try to forget I know anything about this. I need to call Missy.”
“Hello Marshall, how’s it going?”
“We’re in a holding pattern at the moment. Nothing happening except going through Colleen’s case files and Court’s employee records looking for anyone who could be responsible for what’s going on. I’m walking Lucy and Jake and talking to you, because there might or might not be activities going on I don’t want to be knowledgeable about. What’s going on in New Orleans?”
“Oh you know, the same old stuff. Fabric selections, lighting choices, paint colors. Riveting stuff that will keep a man on the edge of his seat. Why did you really call me?”
“Because your voice is riveting stuff that keeps a man on the edge. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. You know, despite what my clients think, these pressing purchases of accessories and such are really not time sensitive. Why don’t I come up to Memphis. There must be something I can do to help.”
“As much as I want to say yes, it’s not practical or wise. You need to stay there. I’m okay. I watch Court and he is so lost without her. It reminds me of when you were in the hospital and I thought I was losing you. I feel so bad for him, but we don’t have any leads, we have no forensics and I can’t figure out how we can ever break this case.”
“Since when has our relationship ever been about practicality or wisdom? If you insist I’ll stay here, but I wish I was there with you. I have faith in
you, Frankie. You will figure this out. Yes, I understand you don’t have your usual toolbox, but you are an amazing man and an accomplished law enforcement officer. You’ll get your guy and you’ll save the girl. It’s just how it’s supposed to happen.”
“But you know it doesn’t always work that way.”
“I know, but positive thoughts are powerful and that’s all we have time for right now. Take those dogs back home and get to work Marshal. Call me when you can.”
“Aye aye captain. The sky is turning dark, it looks like a storm is brewing, I’ll talk to you soon. I sure could use you here, Sunshine, but I’ll be fine.”
Pierce went through computer file after computer file while Trent and Court continued looking through paper files. Suddenly, Court remembered Colleen’s briefcase. He went to get it and the files within it. When she left the message that she was going in to work on Tuesday she said she was going to get a new case to work on. It would make sense that the new case might be connected to the Maden case wouldn’t it?
“Bingo! It looks like my lass did pick up a new case when she went to the office Tuesday. Apparently one of our esteemed city councilmen has some shady friends. They don’t have anything on the former councilman, but his known associates include suspected drug dealers, several assaults, petty stuff, breaking and entering, oh looky here, an arson!”
“What’s the guy’s name with the arson wrap?”
“Terry Miller. According to this, he’s the councilman’s younger brother. He was a high school coach and math teacher who got fired. He didn’t agree with the principle’s assessment of his teaching abilities and after his dismissal, he set fire to his former boss’s classic Trans Am. He served five years in the pen before an early release for good behavior.”
“It’s not a long jump from a car to a boat. How did he set the fire?”
“Standard beginner boring stuff, doused the car with gas and lit it. But he might have learned some new things in the pen.”
“What are the dates he was locked up?”
“2005 -2010”
“Let me check my database. I know the guy who set the bomb at the Peabody was The Artist, or a copycat. But I’m pretty sure it’s him. Let me see if there was any activity attributed to the Artist during that time frame. There was a case attributed to The Artist in 07, smack dab in the middle of Miller’s incarceration. So Miller is not the artist, but it’s possible the Artist was locked up. They could have met in prison, or it could be sheer coincidence,” Court told them.
“I don’t believe in coincidence. What do you want to do about this Miller guy? It’s not like we can just go knock on his door and start asking questions. None of us are law enforcement except Frankie but if Miller is her kidnapper and thinks we are the law it would be bad for Colleen. “
“Are there recent photos and an address in Colleen’s file? “
“Yep, both.”
“Let’s take a look at them. Then two of us can see if we can find this guy and keep an eye on him. At least until we hear something else. Maybe he will lead us to her.”
“You know this is an impossible long shot that he’s her kidnapper, right?”
“Yeah, but it’s the only thing we have to go on at the moment, so what can it hurt to watch him for a while?”
Chapter 22
Trent and Frankie spent the rainy humid afternoon watching Terry Miller’s apartment in midtown Memphis. Terry was home, but no one came or went from the apartment. Trent periodically started the SUV to clear the windows of the condensation building because of the humidity and rain. The rain finally raged and pounded the rental SUV so hard they couldn’t see through the windows regardless of what Trent did.
Listening to the radio in the rental car while they watched, the talk radio station was exclusively covering the 40th anniversary of the Beale Street Music Festival. Four stages for three days, non-stop music in all genres.
“Some really big acts are playing tomorrow night. I guess since it’s the opening night and an anniversary year.”
“Yes, it sounds like a good time. Court was telling me that it rains almost every year and it becomes a mud fest, but he says people keep coming back year after year. He said folks come from all fifty states and twelve countries every year.”
Trent received a text message from Court. “Meet us at Graceland!”
Pierce read over the clue text message as Court drove to Graceland.
In the sky I no longer fly
Beyond the gates, a trail of tears because I died
When you look for things that go boom
You have to look in that special room
I put it there, it's from the past
if you don't find it, it will be a blast
Suddenly the piercing sound of the civil defense sirens shattered the silence in the SUV. Court automatically turned on the radio, as Pierce noticed the slightly greenish cast to the sky.
“THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING FOR WESTERN SHELBY COUNTY IN WEST TENNESSEE. UNTIL 315 PM CDT. AT 239 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED SOUTH OF I-240 EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.
HAZARD...TORNADO AND GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.
SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.
IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE
CAUGHT WITHOUT SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. TREE DAMAGE IS LIKELY.
* THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
FULLER STATE PARK AROUND 245 PM CDT.
NONCONNAH AND GRACELAND AROUND 250 PM CDT
MEMPHIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AROUND 255 PM CDT
OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM
INCLUDE WHITEHAVEN...OAKVILLE...FED EX HUB...PARKWAY VILLAGE...I-55...AND HIGHWAY 78.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THIS TORNADO WARNING REPLACES THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED FOR THE SAME AREA.”
Pierce called Frankie, knowing Trent was driving and told him they were stopping until the tornado cleared. Court immediately exited the interstate at the next exit and whipped the SUV into the parking lot of the nearest gas station. Court slammed the gear shift into park while unfastening his seat belt. He and Pierce both opened their doors and exited the vehicle simultaneously. Even jogging the short distance into the store, the sideways blowing rain pelted them.
Court and Pierce entered the store, and were surprised there was no one behind the counter, but they heard a man yell, “Back here.” Glancing toward the back of the store, the cashier was motioning the men to join him in the back. Court led the way and realized the cashier was holding the door open to a huge walk in cooler, where three customers already stood inside, arms wrapped around themselves shivering. Court wasn’t sure if they shivered from cold or nerves.
“Go in the cooler! It’s the safest place. We have a few minutes before it gets here. If we hear it, I’ll get in too and shut the door. Until then I’ll wait to see if anyone else comes in. Once the door shuts that big yellow button there will open it from the inside. Don’t open it until you’re sure the twister is gone!”
The men realized at that point there was a television behind the counter and the volume was loud enough to hear the local weatherman talking clearly in the back of the store.
Court glanced only for a moment at Pierce before he entered the cooler and then quietly under his breath where only his friend could hear him said, “Son of a bitch! A freaking tornado right when we are trying to find a bomb. What are the damn chances of that?” He also quickly realized the other patrons shivering wasn’t nerves, it was a combination of the cold air hitting wet skin and clothes from the rain that soaked them on the way in.
“It’s April in Memphis. I’d say the chances are not too farfetched.”
They waited in the cooler until the air raid sirens in the area silenced and then the cashier, the two men and the three other c
ustomers exited the cooler, thanked the clerk who was behind the counter again listening to the continuing weather forecast and left the store.
In the truck, headed back for the interstate to get to Graceland, Court called Trent and told him to put him on speaker.
“When we get there, I’m going alone. We’ve lost so much time with the tornado warning that I’m afraid there might not be time left to find the bomb before it detonates.”
“Bull shit. You are not going alone. We didn’t lose that much time. It seemed like forever, but it’s really only been twenty minutes. I’m going with you,” said Trent.
“Me too,” echoed Frankie.
Next to him, in his own truck, Pierce looked at him and just shook his head. Court knew he was defeated and while he didn’t want any part of putting his friends in any more danger, he was very thankful to have them with him. He was amazed at what good friends Frankie and Pierce had become since meeting them on the anniversary trip to Ecuador. It was hard to imagine that was only a few short months ago and these guys were more like brothers to him, as close and he and Trent who had been friends for years.
Chapter 23
Off the interstate and proceeding through the slow stop and go traffic of Elvis Presley Blvd, Court asked Pierce, “Can you pretend to be a blind man?”
“I suppose so. Why?”
“It’s the only way I can think of to get Jake into the mansion. That place has so many rooms and so much stuff sitting around I’m afraid we will never find the bomb in time without him. There’s no way the docents are going to let us pick up and inspect anything in the rooms. If Jake is a service dog, they have to let him in.”
“I’ll do my best, I’m pretty sure I can fake it. You don’t think they will wonder why a blind man wants to tour a museum?”